These Nutella Oatmeal Bars are a hazelnut lover’s dream, featuring a buttery, brown sugar oat crumble that sandwiches a thick, indulgent layer of Nutella. They are incredibly easy to pull together with basic pantry staples, making them the perfect last-minute treat for school lunches or weekend snacking.
One bite of these golden, toasted bars reveals a gooey chocolate-hazelnut center that perfectly complements the chewy, salty-sweet oat crust.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Rich hazelnut and cocoa notes paired with caramelized brown sugar and buttery oats.
- Textures: A wonderful contrast between the crispy, golden crumble on top and the soft, fudgy Nutella center.
- Time: Approximately 10 minutes of active prep time and 25 minutes of baking.
- Difficulty: Very Easy. This is a one-bowl recipe that requires no heavy equipment.
What You’ll Need
This recipe relies on a versatile all-in-one crumble mixture made from rolled oats, flour, melted butter, and brown sugar. The only other component is the Nutella itself, which acts as the decadent filling that holds the bars together.
Ingredient Notes
- Rolled Oats – These provide the signature chewy texture that makes these bars so satisfying.
- Unsalted Butter – Using melted butter makes the mixing process quick and ensures the crumble is perfectly moist.
- Light Brown Sugar – This adds a hint of molasses flavor and helps keep the bars from becoming too dry.
- Nutella – The star of the show. It provides a creamy, chocolatey filling that stays soft even after the bars have cooled.
- Baking Powder – A small amount gives the oat layers just enough lift to keep them from being overly dense.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Chopped Hazelnuts – For extra crunch, you can sprinkle 1/4 cup of chopped toasted hazelnuts over the Nutella layer before adding the top crumble.
- Sea Salt – A light sprinkle of flaked sea salt on top of the bars before baking can beautifully balance the sweetness of the Nutella.
- Chocolate Chips – If you want even more chocolate, a handful of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips can be mixed into the oat crumble.
How to Make Nutella Oatmeal Bars
This simple “press and sprinkle” method ensures a perfect ratio of crust to filling every time.
- Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line an 8in x 8in baking pan with parchment paper or grease it well to ensure the bars come out easily.
- Mix the Crumble: In a medium bowl, stir together the rolled oats, flour, melted butter, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well combined and the texture is uniform.
- Form the Base: Take about 3/4 of the mixture and press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan. Pressing firmly is key to a sturdy base.
- The Nutella Layer: Spread the Nutella onto the oat layer. Feel free to be generous with the amount more Nutella only makes these bars better!
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 of the crumble mixture over the Nutella. Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
Pro Tip: If your Nutella is a bit firm, you can microwave it for 10–15 seconds to make it easier to spread smoothly over the oat base without pulling up the crumbs.
Recipe Tips
- Press Firmly: When creating the bottom layer, use the back of a spoon or a flat measuring cup to press down hard. This prevents the bars from falling apart when you lift them out.
- Parchment Paper: Leaving an “overhang” of parchment paper on the sides makes it much easier to lift the entire block of bars out of the pan once they are cool.
- Don’t Overbake: You want the edges to be golden, but the center should remain soft. The bars will firm up significantly as they cool.
- Cooling is Crucial: Unless you prefer a very messy dessert, wait until the Nutella has set and the bars are cool to get clean, sharp squares.
FAQs
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats? You can, but the texture will be much softer and less chewy. Rolled oats are preferred for the best “oatmeal bar” experience.
My Nutella is spreading the crumbs around; what do I do? Drop small dollops of Nutella all over the base first, then use a warm offset spatula to gently connect them. This prevents the bottom layer from lifting.
How should I store these bars? Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and delicious for 3–5 days.
Serving Suggestions
- Cold Milk – The classic pairing for anything involving Nutella and oats.
- Vanilla Ice Cream – Serve a square warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an easy plated dessert.
- Coffee or Espresso – The deep hazelnut flavors in the bars are a natural match for a hot cup of coffee.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can mix the dry ingredients (oats, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt) days in advance and store them in a jar. When you are ready to bake, simply add the melted butter and vanilla, and proceed with the assembly. These bars also freeze well just wrap individual squares tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Print
Easy Nutella Oatmeal Crumble Bars
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 Bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A hazelnut lover’s dream featuring a buttery brown sugar oat crumble sandwiching a thick, indulgent layer of Nutella. These bars are incredibly easy to make with basic pantry staples, offering a gooey chocolate center and a chewy, salty-sweet crust perfect for school lunches or weekend snacks.
Ingredients
The Oat Crumble (Base & Topping)
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup light brown sugar, 1 tsp vanilla
- 0.5 tsp baking powder, 0.5 tsp salt
The Filling
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup Nutella (or chocolate hazelnut spread)
Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper.
Mix: Stir together melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla. Add oats, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until crumbly.
Press: Reserve 1/4 of the mixture. Press the remaining 3/4 firmly into the bottom of the pan.
Layer: Spread Nutella over the base. (Microwave Nutella for 10s if stiff).
Top & Bake: Sprinkle reserved crumble on top. Bake for 25 mins until golden and edges are set.
Cool: Cool completely in pan before lifting out and slicing.
Notes
Structural Integrity: Use the bottom of a measuring cup to pack the base firmly; this creates the sturdy foundation needed for the heavy filling.
Oat Choice: Old-fashioned rolled oats provide a rustic, chewy texture; quick oats will make the bars softer and more cake-like.
Wait for the Set: Nutella needs time to firm back up at room temperature for clean, sharp squares.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Snack
- Method: One-Bowl / Press & Bake
- Cuisine: Modern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bar
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 95
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0.3
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 30
Keywords: nutella oatmeal bars, chocolate hazelnut oat bars, easy dessert bars, school lunch snacks, 3-ingredient filling bars, buttery oat crumble, nutella recipes
